Switch and signal mechanism



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J W THOMAS, Jr SWITCH AND SIGNAL M EGHANISM.

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Patented Dec. 27

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J.- W. THOMAS, Jr. swrrcg AND SIGNAL MBGHANAISM. V l No. 488,858. Patented Deo. 27, 1892.'

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. THOMAS, JR., OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

SWITCH AND SIGNAL MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,853, dated December 27, 1892.

Application filed .Tune 29, 1892. Serial No. 438,453. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. THOMAS, .I r., of Nashville, in the State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Switch and Signal Mechanism, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates to that kind of mechanism for interlocking the tappets of the operating levers of an interlocking switch and signal apparatus in which thetappets andinterlocking dogs are combined with intermediate means mounted on the tappets and adapted to operate on and be operated by the dogs.

It is my object to provide a simple and effective intermediate for the purpose, and to this end I mount upon such of the tappets as may be required for the purpose, a pendulous intermediary-which is pivoted to the tappet, so that it may swing from side to side freely, and has its lower portion (correspondingin a general way to the bob of a pendulum) adapted to enter between the inner opposed ends of the two locking dogs between which the tappet is located. When the tappet is adjusted vertically so as to bring the bob between the two locking dogs, then a movement of the one dog toward the tappet will through the intermediary of the pendulum-as I shall call it for want of a better name-transmit movement to the other dog. There is absolutely no danger of the pendulum becoming cramped or sticking, and the device is most simple and can be applied without trouble to the apparatus.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a plan of so much of a four-tappet interlocking machine as needed for purposes of explanation. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a face view and Fig. 4. is an edge (side elevation) view of one of the locking dogs on enlarged scale. Figs. 5 and 6 are like views of one'of the dogs which have no locking function but merely transmit movement to'and from a pendulum as the case may be. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. l with the tappets in somewhat different position. Fig. 8 is a face view and Fig. 9 is an edge view ofthe device which I have termed a pendulum.

K is a stationary frame, in vertical ways in which the tappets B -B4 inclusive are mountbe room between the tappet and the lock bar behind for the interposition of the pendulum. Thus Jto the rear face of tappet B2 is pivoted the pendulum A2; and to the rear face of tappet B3 is pivoted the pendulum A2. These pendulums are shown in dotted lines in Figs. l and 7; and one of them (A2) is in side elevation in Fig. 2. The construction of the pendulum is shown clearly in Figs. S and 9. Each pendulum is of less width than the tappet to which it is -applied and is pivoted thereto at a point about midway between the edges of the tappet so that while it will hang centrally by gravity it may swing freely to each side of its center of gravity from edge to edge of the tappet. And it is of such form and dimensions that when moving up and down with its tappet, it can readily enter, or withdraw from, between the two dogs between which it serves as the medium of communication. On the lock bar H' are fastened two dogs I and O. One ofl these I has merely a miter nose to engage a V or miter notch J in the tappet, B. The other C, has a miter nose E to engage the notch in tappet B2, and a rounded end D to bear against the pendulum A2 pivoted to tappet B2. There are two notches J on one edge of this tappet, and none on the other. On the lock bar H2, are two dogs O2 C. The latter is like the dog C on lock bar H already described; and its miter nose E is to engage one or the other of the two notches J IOO rear face of the tappets, they might very well be pivoted upon their front. In that event, the two tappets B2, B3, which carry the pendulums would require no offset, but might have the plain straight face which their fellows B B4 have; and the lookingdogs would have the relative position of their noses E and rounded ends D shifted to correspond With this change in position of the pendulums.

Such is the construction and organization of the apparatus. Its mode of operation is as follows: In Fig. 1 all the tappets are in their normal position, the pendulum A2 of tappet B2 being in line with the dogs on either side of it, the pendulum A3 of tappet B3 being above the line of the dogs, and all of the tappets being unlocked. If, now, tappet B be reversed, lock bar II Will thereby (through its dog I) be shoved to the right, and by its dog C will both lock tappet B2 and push pendulum A2 over against tappet (J2 of bar H2, thus shoving in time bar H2 to the right and locking tappet B3.

tappet B3 is out of line with the dogs, lock bar H3 Will be unateeted and consequently tappet B*1 will remain unlocked.

In Fig. 6, the tappets B', B3, B4 are shown But as the pendulum A3 of reversed, tappet B2 is normal, and all of the tappets are locked except B.

From these examples the manner in which the apparatus can be used will be understood Without further explanation by those skilled in the art to which my improvement relates.

Having described my invention and the manner in Which the same is or may be carried into effect, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In combination with the sliding locking bars and their attached dogs, the vertical longitudinall y movable notched tappets provided with pendulums A2, A3 of less Widththan the tappets, pivoted to said tappets to hang Vertically by gravity and capable of swinging freely to each side of their center of gravity from edge to edge of the tappets to which they are severally attached, as hereinbelore set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN W. THOMAS, JR.

lVitnesses:

R. T. SAUNDnRs, CHAs. W. GRANT,J1'. 

